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Alligator Alcatraz Closed for Good.
Today, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and White House Border Czar Tom Homan, and Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement Executive Director Anthony Coker, just finished a press conference at Alligator Alcatraz where they said that the detention camp is now closed and would not be reopening. Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice at the Workers Circle responded.
The Workers Circle and Sanctuary of the South Celebrate Legal Victory While Vowing to Continue Fight for Everyone Still Detained
FEDERAL JUDGES ORDER RELEASE OF MEN FORMERLY DETAINED AT ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ
The Workers Circle and Sanctuary of the South Celebrate Legal Victory While Vowing to Continue Fight for Everyone Still Detained
In Response to the Supreme Court’s TPS Decision
In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court has ruled that the court cannot review the government’s decisions to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syria and Haiti.
Ann Toback, CEO of the Workers Circle responds.
The Workers Circle and Community Catalyst, Arianne Betancourt, featured in the Daily Beast
In case you missed it, The Daily Beast featured a story about Workers Circle organizer Arianne Betancourt and the Workers Circle’s efforts: “A woman helped free her father from a detention facility once described as ‘a copy of Guantánamo’—catching the president’s attention.”
“‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detainees say guards deny them food and clean water until they sign English documents” The Workers Circle featured in the Guardian
Detainees say they’re given ‘rotten’ water and denied meals for not signing papers in English that they don’t understand. Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice at the Workers Circle, believes it is connected to reports of the facility closing.
In Mother Jones: Trump Congratulated Him on His Freedom. Alligator Alcatraz Left Him With a Stroke.
In case you missed it, Mother Jones featured the story of how the Freedom Vigils outside so-called Alligator Alcatraz helped Arianne Betancourt to free her father, Justo Betancourt, and how the fight continues until it is shut down for good and all detainees are released.
In Newsweek: Who Is Justo Betancourt? Trump Welcomes Alligator Alcatraz Detainee Release
President Donald Trump has given a "welcome home" to Justo Betancourt, a Cuban-born Miami resident who spent months in federal immigration detention in the Florida Everglades facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.
Photo credit: Jose Meija
Workers Circle and Sanctuary of the South Launch Unprecedented Campaign: No Human Being in Alligator Alcatraz Left Without Counsel
The Workers Circle and Sanctuary of the South (SOS) are stepping in. The two organizations have joined forces to launch an unprecedented intervention: to give every unrepresented person detained in Alligator Alcatraz sound legal counsel, and a real shot at securing their release. If they are transferred, that support will go with them.
Photo credit: Jose Meija
GTFO ICE Call to Action – Freedom Vigils
On their first national call, GTFO ICE highlighted an action all members can take - attending or creating a Freedom Vigil in your area.
Voices of the Families of People Detained, Tortured Immigrants at Alligator Alcatraz, together with Faith and Community Allies, Turn the Tide at Illegal Everglades Detention Center Alligator Alcatraz
More than 40 straight weeks of freedom vigil protests, congressional testimony, and tireless media efforts by families and allies cast stark light on shameful abuse of, discrimination against immigrants.
The Workers Circle among 200 Orgs and Experts Call for an End to Trump’s Threats of War Crimes and Call for Accountability
Workers Circle Joins 200+ Organizations Warning Against Escalation with Iran.
Workers Circle Advocacy Spurs Senate Probe into Alligator Alcatraz Abuse Allegations
A Florida immigration detention site known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is under investigation by U.S. senators following serious allegations of abuse and torture
In the New York Times: Florida’s Immigration Crackdown Underscores Urgency of Our Vigil Work
As Florida ramps up immigration enforcement and arrests, advocates like the Workers Circle warn of growing fear — underscoring the need for public solidarity and vigil.
Freedom Vigil at ICE Washington Field Office in Chantilly, VA Calls for Dignity, Transparency, and Accountability
Community members, advocates, and faith leaders will gather for the first-ever Freedom Vigil at the ICE Washington Field Office in Chantilly, Virginia, calling attention to the expansion of immigration detention and its impact on individuals and families.
Freedom Vigil at Alligator Alcatraz featured in Mother Jones
In case you missed it, Mother Jones featured a story about Workers Circle organizer Arianne Betancourt and the Workers Circle’s efforts to organize vigils outside of the inhumane immigrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz.
Workers Circle brings families of those imprisoned in Alligator Alcatraz to U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on DHS Oversight
On March 3, 2026, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security and the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement policies. The Workers Circle supported family members of individuals detained in ICE facilities — including Alligator Alcatraz, Krome Detention Center in Miami, and Stewart Detention Center in Georgia — so they could attend the hearing, ensuring lawmakers and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confronted the human impact of current enforcement policies.
ICE Out of Our Communities; No More Money for ICE’s Deadly Terror
We call on Congress to stop funding the Department of Homeland Security and its ICE operations.
Freedom Vigil at Alligator Alcatraz featured on NPR/WLRN
In case you missed it, NPR/WLRN featured a story about the Workers Circle’s efforts to organize vigils outside of the inhumane immigrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz.
“The protesters showing up every week to shut down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: ‘We will end this’” The Workers Circle featured in The Guardian
In case you missed it, The Guardian featured a story about the Workers Circle’s efforts to organize vigils outside of the inhumane immigrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz.
What Virginia’s election teaches about power in numbers
Workers Circle CEO Ann Toback co-writes an op-ed in the Virginian Pilot about the power of grassroots organizing to revitalize democracy as shown by the 2025 Virginia elections.